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T O P I C R E V I E W

Robert Pearlman

Many of our readers are familiar with Miles O'Brien, the science correspondent for PBS NewsHour, former CNN science correspondent, and almost shuttle spaceflight participant. Today Miles posted to his website an account of his recent injury:

I wish I had a better story to tell you about why I am typing this with one hand (and some help from Dragon Dictate).

A shark attack would be interesting. An assassination attempt would be intriguing. Skydiving mishaps always make for good copy. An out-of-control quad copter that turns on its master would be entertaining (and would come complete with a grim, potentially viral, video).

No, the reason I am now one-handed is a little more prosaic than those scenarios...

alanh_7

Jeez, I could not believe it when I read it on your Facebook page Robert. Best wishes to him and good luck.

Ronpur

Wow, reading his blog, and the way he discusses this, I have no doubt Miles will be back. And I have to stop and think about how delicate the human body is, if an accident like this can cause this type of damage.

cspg

And some wonder why I hate travel. Best wishes and good luck.

JBoe

My best wishes and speedy recovery go out to Mr. O'Brien. I remember how engaged and passionate he was about the space program when he was emceeing a portion of last year's Naval History/Heritage lecture at the Naval Academy. That day was great!

Joel Katzowitz

I read his story on CNN and was shocked. I've met and seen Miles a number of times. Mostly at the KSC press site and at a STS-107 Memorial in Atlanta. He was always approachable, enthusiastic, knowledgable, and had a great sense of humor.

I wish him a speedy recovery.

Jay Chladek

I had a bit of a shocked look on my face as well when I read Miles story this morning. I met him at the shuttle and rocket launches I attended at KSC and he always came off as a straight shooter in private as well as on the air. So naturally I was disappointed in CNN when they eliminated his department. But he has moved on to better things.

It is very shocking and sad to have this happen from what initially looked like a seemingly relatively minor injury, but I know Miles will survive and is already considering how to use it to cover a story. He can now cover situations amputees go through from a side that most reporters never will and advances in prosthetic limbs. But still, this is a bit of a life change that he is having to go through and I wish him all the luck in the world.

Besides, if we should ever get back to watching astronauts launch from KSC again, I want to see Miles there covering it whether I am there myself or watching it on the web or television.

dom

Holy crap!

Initially I only read the first part of his blog and thought he was making a fuss about nothing. Then I went back and read it right to the end and am now stunned to realise he actually lost an arm because of this "minor" accident!

Miles, if you're reading this, keep up the positive spirit shown in the blog. I for one was always disappointed that you never got to make that Shuttle flight but I'm sure you'll be testing bionic limbs in orbit within a decade

mode1charlie

Beyond awful. All the best to Miles - I'm sure this won't hinder his indomitable spirit.

dabolton

He gets my vote as the first one-armed astronaut. Wish him the best on his recovery.

Robert Pearlman

Miles O'Brien has traveled the world for the NewsHour, most recently for a series of reports from the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant in Japan. After finishing his reporting there, an injury during another stop in the Philippines became life-threatening and Miles' left arm was amputated. He joins Judy Woodruff to talk about what happened.

alanh_7

Always a professional. What a great attitude he has. Given his situation it would be natural for anyone to become depressed. But rather than wallow in self pity he is moving forward with his interests and from what he was saying now has another interest to focus on, amputee rehab and artificial limb technology. Give the man a lemon and he makes lemonade out it. As is said what a great attitude he has.

dom

Miles is definitely a class act!

cspg

I surely will think about the Winston Churchill quote. "If you're going through hell, keep going."

Ronpur

I can just see him doing reports on the technology of artificial limbs next. What a great human being!

lucspace

Just watched the PBS talk above, which gave me goosebumps. Hat off to Miles! Hoping (and expecting) to see him showing off a state-of-the-art new hand before long.

alanh_7

It is good to see Miles O'Brien on CNN again as a CNN analyst. I wish it were under better circumstances and not covering the loss of flight 370.